AFRICA: Military forces of semi-autonomous Puntland in Somalia have retaken a strategic town from Islamic militant group al Shabaab.

AMERICAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced a single exchange rate pegged to his socialist government’s petro cryptocurrency.

ASIA: At least 22 militants were killed in the air strikes conducted by Afghan air force in Zabul province, Afghanistan.

EUROPE: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin are due to meet over the conflict in Ukraine.

MIDDLE EAST: Qatar accused Saudi Arabia of barring its citizens from this year’s haj, something Riyadh denies, saying a diplomatic dispute is not stopping Qataris from making the pilgrimage to Mecca.

TECHNOLOGY: The High Administrative Court in Finland ordered Google to delete information about a man convicted of murder in the Nordic country.

TOP STORY

North Korea: State media blamed Donald Trump’s political opponents for the ‘deadlock’ over denuclearization.

The country urged the US President to act boldly to make progress on the thorny issue.

When Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April for their first summit, they agreed to push for a declaration of an end to the Korean War this year.

But US officials insist de-nuclearization of the North should be realized before such an event takes place.

Trump’s political opponents are “raising their voice, dismissing the Singapore joint statement and boycotting a declaration of an end to the war”, Rodong Sinmun, the North’s most prominent daily, claimed.

“The current deadlock in the DPRK-US relations requires President Trump’s bold decision,” it added.

Mali: The losing candidate in the presidential election, Soumaila Cisse, lodged an appeal with the country’s constitutional court to overturn the results that he says were fraudulent. (Reuters)

Somalia: Military forces of semi-autonomous Puntland have retaken a strategic town from Islamic militant group al Shabaab. (Reuters)

Uganda: EU diplomats deplored “brutal treatment” of lawmakers arrested over a stoning of President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy, and a rights body called for Ugandan authorities to prosecute the perpetrators of the alleged abuses.

AMERICAS

Costa Rica: A strong earthquake shook southern Costa Rica near the border with Panama; no major damage reported. (AP)

Nicaragua: The opposition Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy has signaled its willingness to return to the negotiating table. (DPA)

Venezuela: President Nicolas Maduro announced a single exchange rate pegged to his socialist government’s petro cryptocurrency, effectively devaluing by 96 percent in a move economists said would fan hyperinflation in the chaotic country. (Reuters)

ASIA

Afghanistan: At least 22 militants were killed in the air strikes conducted by Afghan air force in Zabul province. (Xinhua)

Afghanistan: The leader of the Taliban said there will be no peace as long as the foreign “occupation” continues, reiterating the group’s position that the 17-year war can only be brought to an end through direct talks with the United States.

Bangladesh: Six people including a political party leader were killed and three others injured in a clash between two rival groups in the southeastern Chittagong Hill tracts. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

England: Two men have been killed and four boys hurt in separate stabbings across London. (BBC)

Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin are due to meet over the conflict in Ukraine. (DPA)

Iran: The navy has mounted a locally built advanced defensive weapons system on one of its warships for the first time. (Reuters)

Qatar: The country accused Saudi Arabia of barring its citizens from this year’s haj, something Riyadh denies, saying a diplomatic dispute is not stopping Qataris from making the pilgrimage to Mecca. (Reuters)

Syria: US-backed forces have repelled a raid by the Islamic State group targeting barracks housing American and French troops in the east. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Technology: The High Administrative Court in Finland ordered Google to delete information about a man convicted of murder in the Nordic country. (Xinhua)